Last updated: October 3, 2026 · Verified against the licensed manhwa and official sources
Full-series spoilers
This page discusses the Monarchs’ war and the ending of the manhwa.
On the evidence the manhwa actually shows, Antares has the edge. He is the oldest and strongest of the original Monarchs, and Ashborn never defeated him.
But it is closer than most rankings suggest. The two were regarded as equals on the battlefield — and Ashborn, unlike Antares, never wanted to fight.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Ashborn | Monarch of Shadows |
| Antares | Monarch of Destruction |
| Head-to-head | Never decisively shown |
| Our verdict | Antares, narrowly |
| Who beat Antares | Sung Jinwoo |
Table of Contents
The Two at a Glance
| Ashborn | Antares | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Monarch of Shadows | Monarch of Destruction |
| Rules over | The dead | Dragons |
| Origin | A Ruler who became a Monarch | An original Monarch, made from darkness |
| Position | An outsider to both factions | Leader of the Monarchs |
| Signature power | Authority over death; a shadow army | Raw destructive power |
| Defeated by | — | Sung Jinwoo |
The Case for Antares
Antares is the oldest and most powerful of the original Monarchs, and the one the others defer to. Even the Rulers avoided confronting him directly.
His record includes the single best power indicator in the manhwa: a permanent scar on Jinwoo’s hand — on a character who regenerates entire limbs. And he was defeated only by Jinwoo after Jinwoo had inherited Ashborn’s power and grown beyond it. That implies Ashborn’s level alone was not enough.
The Case for Ashborn
Ashborn‘s power over death gives him something no other Monarch has: an army that does not stay defeated. As long as he has power to spend, his soldiers return — and that army included Bellion, the strongest shadow in existence.
He was also regarded as Antares’s equal on the battlefield, and the sequel reveals that the Shadow Monarch’s power combines darkness and light — the only power in the setting drawn from both sides.
Our read
The question assumes Ashborn wanted to win. He did not. Unlike Antares, Ashborn never wanted to fight — his entire arc is about ending the war, not winning it. A Monarch looking for a way out of the conflict was never going to settle the matchup on the battlefield.
Why the Manhwa Never Settles It
There is no decisive on-page duel between them. Everything above is inferred from reputation, feats against others, and what happened after Ashborn passed his power on. That is why fan rankings split — and why anyone presenting a definitive answer is going beyond what the story shows.
Our Verdict
Antares, narrowly, on the evidence the manhwa actually provides. He led the Monarchs, marked Jinwoo permanently, and fell only to a Shadow Monarch who had surpassed Ashborn. This matches our strongest characters ranking, where Antares sits second and Ashborn third.
For how the war between them finally ended, see the Solo Leveling ending explained, and for the full roster, all nine Monarchs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who would win, Ashborn or Antares?
On the evidence the manhwa shows, Antares, narrowly. He led the Monarchs and was defeated only by Jinwoo after Jinwoo had surpassed Ashborn’s level.
Was Ashborn stronger than Antares?
They were regarded as equals on the battlefield, but Ashborn never defeated Antares, and he never wanted to fight. Most evidence gives Antares a slight edge.
Did Ashborn and Antares ever fight?
The manhwa never shows a decisive duel between them, which is why the matchup is still debated.
Who killed Antares?
Sung Jinwoo, in the final battle of the war against the Monarchs.
Is Jinwoo stronger than Ashborn?
Yes. He inherited Ashborn’s power and grew beyond it, which is how he defeated Antares.
Sources
- Solo Leveling, licensed English manhwa release
- Solo Leveling web novel by Chugong, official English volumes
